Sorkin denies firing Newsroom writers

Oscar-winning writer Aaron Sorkin has dismissed reports that he has fired his writing staff as he defended his show set in a fictional cable TV newsroom.

Speaking to journalists, he said Newsroom, which mixes real news stories with fictional storylines, did not aim to criticize how established television channels have covered major events in the past.

Sorkin, who created the White House drama The West Wing and wrote the script of Facebook movie The Social Network, also denied he had sacked his writers for the show’s second season, which has already been ordered by HBO.

Newsroom has been one of the most anticipated new shows on U.S. television but fans and critics alike have been divided over its idealistic portrayal of the TV news industry.